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We pause today to honor those men who, 232 years ago, willingly pledged all they had to the birth of a free nation.

One wonders why, in this day and age, some of our nation’s citizens are so unwilling to make the same pledge. Just recently, an organization put out an ad where a mother declared that her son was unavailable to answer the call of his nation to service. Her words: “If you are counting on [my son], you can’t have him.”

As I reflect on this Independence Day, I am reminded of those who freely gave of themselves so that our nation-and others-can enjoy the gift of freedom. I recall the sacrifice of Navy LT Michael Murphy, whose Medal of Honor cermony I attended last year. I recall the sacrifice of Army SSG Keith Maupin, who lived the military’s Code of Conduct until his dying breath. It is because of men-and women-like these that our country is what it is today-still flawed, yet undeniably free.

And it will be those same men and women who keep an ungrateful nation-one ingnorant of their sacrifices-free.

May God continue to bless this nation, the forces who defend her, and those who stand up for her at home. For us, the pledge is no different today than it was on July 4, 1776: “With a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”Honor Bound to Defend Freedom,-D.

Lately, it’s been quiet for the American pro-mission movement-those people and organization who believe in and support our country’s missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the War on Terror as a whole. With a few exceptions, we have not seen the large rallies and demonstrations in 2008 that dominated years past.

As the likelihood increases that the next four years of life in this country might be spent under a president who has made surrender his policy, how does this movement keep the momentum that it has developed? With the specter of a liberal, antiwar White House and Congress, what steps must the movement take to ensure its long term survival?

The pro-mission movement must put aside internal differences and arguments for the sake of a greater cause-speaking up for our nation and those who serve. The internal struggles at Freedom’s Watch-an organization once billed as the conservative counter to MoveOn.org-should serve as a lesson to us all. Many of our organizations have their birth in arguments of procedures, strategy, membership, and finances. What we fail to realize is that each new organization that is created only draws away from the limited resources that we have available. These new organizations also shrink our turnout at large events, as people sometimes will only attend events put on by “their” organization.

The search for a big-name donor for our movement must end, and we must create an effective model of fundraising. There is no George Soros-like savior for the pro-mission movement. More importantly, in order to establish ourselves as a true grassroots movement, one isn’t needed. Through formal organization, recruiting, and legitimization in the public eye, pro-mission organizations will be able to effectively raise the money they need for operating costs and to fund major events.

To become effective-and in the interests of longevity for our cause-we must unite ourselves in times of crisis. The upcoming elections present our movement with a unique opportunity to make our voices heard. This election will determine the overall course of our nation for the next four years. Within our movement, each organization has a certain expertise-some are good at tackling the media, some at arranging demonstrations. There are times when this knowledge should be pooled together in common efforts. Also, larger and better established organizations must help fledgling ones to establish and organize themselves.

The bottom line: we must put aside infighting, and-in times where an unfavorable outcome would affect us all-we must unite to prevent that outcome. The overall goal for our movement is to stand up in protection of our country and way of life, and not achieving “15 minutes of fame” for individuals and organizations.

I’m trying to figure out how-in ten years or so-how I’m going to be able to explain to my son and/or daughter why I worked against one of my own.

It’s a thought that I’ve avoided ever since Obama launched his candidacy in 2007. For the past year, it’s been easy to avoid that issue. Rev. Wright and flag pins all provided easy-and somewhat pleasant-distractions to really thinking about the historical implications of the Obama ascendancy.

The reality is, I never expected Obama to be viable. There was no way a neophyte to the national political scene would win. Too inexperienced. No name recognition. And, at one point, I even asked, “didn’t he see what happened to the black presidents on ‘24’?”

Then a funny thing happened on the way to another Republican being inaugurated. Obama started winning. And didn’t stop.

And now, he’s the first African American nominee for President of a major political party. Even better-or worse-there’s a better than even chance that he will become the first African American president.

It shouldn’t have been. Nobody should care that Obama is a black man. This should have been a campaign run on issues. We should be past the point in our collective history where the color of someone’s skin should matter. We judge someone on their accomplishments, not what they look like, right?

Some of us do. I do. I can say-and more importantly, believe-that Jonn does. Unfortunately, for every two people who can look at someone and see past-or through-their skin color, there’s been thousands of others who couldn’t.

Over the course of the last few months, we have-slowly-turned that page. The Obama ascendency has show millions of people that race is no longer an impediment. It’s no longer a cause for someone to feel inadequate.

It shouldn’t have been that way. But it is.

African Americans have long memories, and we do not forget easily.

I’ve stepped out for conservative causes that I honestly believe in. Each time, I’ve felt the sting of other blacks looking at me. How could I, they ask. How much am I being paid? Why?

As I consider my own future in politics, I’m forced to ask myself if fighting for what I believe is worth the potential backlash. Will I be labeled as another sellout; an Uncle Tom? Or will people actually give me an honest look and judge me based on my merits, and not my past actions? Will people see that I stood up for what I believed, regardless of the consequences-or will they see another “token black guy?”

I shouldn’t think about this. I really shouldn’t care. But at the end of the night, when the phone stops ringing and when the cameras aren’t on me, I do.

I brought two newspapers this morning. One for me, and one to give to my children. They’ll learn about Obama the candidate-and maybe, Obama the president-in school. They’ll see the speeches, see the crowds that showed up for him.

Maybe they’ll ask what I thought of him. If I supported him.

And maybe, by then, I’ll be able to tell them why I didn’t…and not feel guilty about it.

It’s been a long couple of weeks. Somehow, I’ve found myself with more responsibilities than before (thanks, GOE!). However, the events of the last few days:

Sunday: After spending some time with the family, I met up with Vets for Freedom (VFF) on one of the last legs of our National Heroes Tour. We were down in Norfolk, VA for a minor league baseball game. Pete Hegseth (the executive director) threw out the first pitch of the game. Not a whole lot of participation, mostly due to some not-so-great weather.

After a train ride back to DC….Monday: Met up with GOE for our “Congressional Victory Challenge.” The weather sucked (it looked like rain the entire day), but myself and 30 other members managed to cover 437 offices of Congress in about a 8-10 hour period. We met with various staff members, and conveyed the same message as VFF would the next day (and that the VFW will tomorrow), which is….

Tuesday: “LET US WIN!!”Tuesday was the 3rd Vets on the Hill event by VFF, and I was proud to participate yet again (though by this time, I’m not sure how my body was still functioning….especially with a 5:15 am start!!).

The morning began with a speech by GEN Richard Myers, a past Chairman of the JCS. From there, we held a rally at Senate Park across from the Capitol. Sens. McCain, Graham (who had the best line of the day; see above!), Liberman and Rep. Jim Marshall (a democrat; proving that some of them do recognize the threats to our country!!) spoke, as well as other senators and representatives. Then, off to more rounds on Capitol Hill….including two meetings with Rep. Scott and Moran from VA, who were both useless.

Also, members of GOE, Free Republic’s DC Chapter, and Band of Mothers were out showing their support for the military and their mission as well.

Finally, today I had the opportunity to attend the President’s speech on Iraq at the White House.

I’m tired and still recovering…..but as long as the military’s willing to fight and die to pretect this country and our freedoms, running around the state and the District is the least I can do to fight the defeatists here.